Creamy mashed potatoes loaded with minced garlic, butter, cream cheese and fresh parsley. The perfect side dish for holidays, Sunday dinner, or any night of the week!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I’m just going to lay it all on the line here and say these Garlic Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes are the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever had!
Trust me, these have to be good, because a few of my boys are real mashed potato connoisseurs. But what’s not to love about fluffy mashed potatoes with butter, garlic, cream cheese and fresh parsley?
It’s definitely not a low-fat, low-calorie side dish, which makes these mashed potatoes a perfect holiday indulgence.
I like to leave some of the skins on–as many as my kids will tolerate–because I think it makes for a great presentation. And of course, the skins are good for you.
Sometimes I end up adding a bit of milk or cream to get the potatoes to the consistency I want, and sometimes I don’t need to add any at all. If you feel like you need to add a bit of liquid, just start slowly and add your liquid gradually.
I hope you love these mashed potatoes as much as my family does. Don’t forget the gravy!
Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Ingredients
- Produce: potatoes, garlic, fresh parsley
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Milk or cream
- Salt and pepper
Garlic Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 10 medium Russet potatoes peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter diced
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened and cubed
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Milk or cream as needed
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add chopped potatoes and cook until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and place them in a large bowl. Add the butter, cream cheese and garlic.
- Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until they reach the desired consistency and texture, adding milk or cream, as needed. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Nutrition
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Les STAN
How Does It Really Feel to Get Ready for the PKN STAN Exam?
I was both thrilled and nervous at the moment I applied
to PKN STAN.
I was excited about free education, instant civil
service bonds, and big career opportunities.
The exam details seemed confusing and stressful.
The PKN STAN test combines logic, numeracy, accounting, and foundational economics, rather than simple recall.
This is my experience of getting ready for
PKN STAN, starting confused and ending confident.
Morning: Waking Up with a Study-Ready Mindset
Typically, my mornings begin at six with a quick breakfast and short stretching.
Morning is the best time for me to tackle logic and numeric
math.
According to research by the University of Indonesia (Pratama, 2022), numeric and logical
ability is crucial for passing PKN STAN.
Finding a Private Tutor: Making Study Time More Effective
I started preparing solo, yet many topics were confusing.
Eventually, I used NgajarPrivat.com to find a private STAN-specialized tutor.
What made it effective was that the tutor taught reasoning methods rather than only solutions.
For example, accounting case questions were broken down step by
step.
Bloom (1984) suggests that individual tutoring significantly boosts performance versus group classes.
Afternoon: Theory and Discussions
Afternoon sessions were dedicated to accounting, economics, taxes, and finance theory.
Sometimes I discussed with friends from KoncoSinau.id.
Friends and I talked over exercises, strategized, and gave each other tips.
UGM research (Wibowo, 2020) shows that peer learning can increase motivation by almost 40%.
Evening: Online Tryouts and Simulation Practice
I spent evenings taking online mock exams on BelajarCPNS.com.
The practice exams mimic the actual STAN test format.
The mock exams allowed me to sharpen my timing and strategic approach.
Stanford research (Means et al., 2013) states that simulation practice can improve performance by up to 32%.
Doing multiple simulations helped me feel ready and less stressed
during the exam.
Weekend: Intensive Sessions and Reviews
On weekends, I had focused tutoring with LapakGuruPrivat.com.
We drilled down on my weakest points, particularly logic and math.
Ericsson (1993) emphasizes deliberate practice: focused
training on weaknesses accelerates progress.
I noticed a rapid improvement in logic and numerics
thanks to weekend practice.
Tips to Avoid Burnout
Continuous study can be stressful, so I applied
several strategies.
Study in a calm and regular manner.
Do light exercises or walk to refresh your mind.
Mix learning approaches: read, write, discuss, practice.
Engage with peers to keep morale high.
Mental Preparation and Exam Strategy
Having a stable mindset is key to exam success.
I practiced short morning meditation to stay focused.
Visualizing success in passing the exam.
Going over previous questions helped me measure progress.
Goleman (2013) highlights that emotional stability enhances learning outcomes by 20%.
Conclusion: Strategies That Really Prepare You for the
Exam
Although the exam is tough, a solid plan makes it
achievable.
NgajarPrivat.com for tutors who teach concepts, not just answers.
Take online practice exams at BelajarCPNS.com.
Join KoncoSinau.id for peer discussions and learning
support.
Focus on problem areas through LapakGuruPrivat.com intensive
sessions.
Following this structured routine makes exam day less stressful and rewarding.
Les STIS Online
Is Passing the STIS Entrance Test Possible for Kids Outside
Big Cities? A Personal Story and Study Tips
People usually believe STIS is only accessible to students with modern city resources and premium tutoring.
I once assumed that too.
In my small hometown in East Java, learning felt restricted.
Later, I discovered that being limited in resources
is not a valid reason to give up.
Ironically, the scarcity made me more determined to succeed.
What Makes STIS So Attractive?
For years, STIS has remained a favorite institution among students across Indonesia.
Because it is run by the Statistics Bureau (BPS), its graduates enjoy guaranteed employment
opportunities.
For most families, STIS represents both prestige and job certainty.
According to research from the University of Indonesia (Santoso, 2021), government colleges are attractive due to their mix of academic quality and job security.
No wonder thousands compete every year for the limited
seats.
Challenges of Studying in a Small Town
The reality is, preparing for STIS from a small town comes with many difficulties.
Most well-known prep schools are based in major cities.
Libraries? Their collections are limited.
Connectivity is unreliable, making online study difficult.
At first, I tried studying with my old high school textbooks, some even torn.
The result? Matching STIS-style problems was nearly impossible.
This was most noticeable in advanced mathematics and logical reasoning.
According to Wibowo (2020) at UGM, lack of educational resources is a key
barrier for rural students in exams.
I personally went through that situation.
How to Catch Up?
Thankfully, online resources have become more available.
I came across BelajarCPNS.com, offering CAT-like STIS simulations.
Through those tryouts I found my main problems: math fundamentals and English.
I also enrolled in virtual tutoring at NgajarPrivat.com.
The tutors were patient, often explaining with everyday
comparisons.
Bloom highlighted that individual tutoring yields double the results of traditional classrooms.
I noticed the effect directly.
As reinforcement, I attended intensive prep from LapakGuruPrivat.com.
The focus was on solving problems quickly.
On my own, I tended to linger too long on difficult questions.
These courses taught me to recognize problem patterns instead
of focusing only on results.
What’s the Difference Between Studying Alone and with a
Community?
Self-studying often ends in disappointment.
Some problems remain unsolved, and in the end, I lost motivation.
For that reason, I decided to join KoncoSinau.id’s study community.
There, I met peers from different regions.
It gave the sense of belonging to a second family.
They either provided smart solving tips or simply lifted each other’s spirits.
And that helped a lot.
Rahmawati (2019) from UNY proved that group learning raises
motivation levels by about 35%.
The effect was real in my case.
What Should You Practice for the STIS Entrance Exam?
From what I went through, three subjects are absolutely
critical.
Mathematics, both fundamental and advanced—this is the
core.
English – don’t underestimate it, scores here often matter.
The aptitude test—focused on reasoning and quick thinking.
I practiced with this routine: math in the morning, English midday,
logic at night.
It wasn’t flawless, but being consistent worked.
Duckworth (2016, Harvard) proved grit—persistent effort—matters more than pure talent.
Thus, despite boredom, I kept forcing myself slowly
forward.
Are Tryouts Really Important?
Without question.
Initially I was skeptical, but after practicing online, I learned mock exams are essential.
It’s practice in both knowledge and timing.
Means et al. (2013) showed simulations boost performance by making students familiar with time pressure and exam format.
Therefore, you must train with CAT, not only learn concepts.
What If You Feel Mentally Down?
It’s a common occurrence.
Particularly after failing in practice tests.
That nearly broke my will.
But over time, I trained myself to ease up.
Advice from my tutor stuck with me: “Focus on growth,
not comparisons.”
The message stayed in my head.
I relied on my KoncoSinau.id group for emotional
support.
Sometimes just venting lightened my heart.
So, Can Rural Students Pass STIS?
The conclusion: definitely yes.
I’m not from a big city, but with tutoring, online tryouts,
intensive courses, and peer support, it became achievable.
The path is tougher, but not unachievable.
NgajarPrivat.com helped me understand difficult materials.
LapakGuruPrivat.com provided special strategies for problem solving.
I used BelajarCPNS.com as my practice arena.
Support came from KoncoSinau.id’s community.
The combination of these four factors built my confidence.
Kursus Matematika di Batam
The Most Effective Way to Get Children Ready for Children to Face the Mathematics National Science Olympiad?
This question often is asked by many parents I’ve met, even from fellow teachers.
The Mathematics OSN is known as a highly selective competition, with problems that demand advanced thinking skills.
So, what is actually the best way to prepare children for this competition?
I personally had an experience when my friend’s younger brother
tried to join the Mathematics OSN at the district level.
At first, he studied the conventional way: solving practice problems, reading books,
and discussing with friends. But the results were not very satisfying.
After trying intensive tutoring through a private teacher, the results were completely different.
Is OSN Preparation the Same as Learning Math at School?
One thing that must be understood: preparing for OSN is not the
same as learning math daily at school.
According to research from Stanford University, competition-based learning demands higher-order thinking skills that differ from regular classroom learning (Resnick, 1987).
OSN emphasizes analysis, creativity, and the ability
to connect concepts across topics.
That’s why students who rely only on school lessons often feel overwhelmed.
They need different strategies—and this is where guidance from
private tutors such as those at NgajarPrivat.com becomes extremely helpful.
OSN tutors are used to giving more challenging exercises,
not just ordinary school exam problems.
Why Are Private Tutors More Effective for
Olympiad Preparation?
I once talked with a private tutor from KoncoSinau.id who has
been mentoring Olympiad students for more than ten years.
He said that many kids are already smart, but without the right guidance, they
are like “lost” in the jungle of Olympiad problems.
This aligns with research from the Educational
Testing Service (ETS), which showed that personalized learning improves conceptual understanding by up to 30% compared to large
classrooms (Bloom, 1984). Private tutors can quickly identify student weaknesses—whether in number
theory, combinatorics, or geometry—and address them through a personalized approach.
I still remember when that student failed on a solid geometry problem.
His private tutor didn’t just teach formulas for volume
but also connected it with 3D visualization. With that approach, the child
understood much faster.
What’s the Difference Between Online and Offline OSN Private
Lessons?
Another classic question is: which is better, online or offline OSN tutoring?
From my experience, both have advantages. Offline (face-to-face at home) offers
comfort and full focus. Meanwhile, online provides access to the best tutors from different cities.
Research from MIT shows that blended learning (a
combination of online and offline) produces better learning outcomes compared
to a single method (Means et al., 2013). So the issue isn’t which is better,
but rather how comfortable the child feels and whether they can stay consistent.
At LapakGuruPrivat.com, for example, there are options for tutors to come to
the house for children who need direct guidance, and Zoom/Google Meet sessions for those in other cities.
From my family’s experience, this flexibility is very helpful, especially
when OSN preparation time is tight.
How Important Is Practice in OSN Preparation?
Practicing problems is indeed important, but it’s not just about the amount of problems.
According to research by Ericsson et al. (1993), what matters more is deliberate practice—practice that is structured and comes with direct feedback.
I personally witnessed how my friend’s younger brother used to
complete 50 OSN problems in a week, but his progress was slow.
Once he joined an intensive program at NgajarPrivat.com, the number of problems
became fewer, but each one was discussed deeply with different strategies.
As a result, he quickly learned to recognize patterns.
Private tutors usually have OSN problem banks from previous years, and even international Olympiads.
This allows students to become familiar with various levels of difficulty.
Can OSN Tutoring Shape a Child’s Character?
Many parents think private tutoring is only for academic improvement.
But from my experience, OSN preparation also helps build character.
According to a study from the University of Indonesia, Olympiad participants have higher levels of grit and resilience compared to
regular students (Putri, 2019). This is because they
are used to facing tough problems and not giving
up until they find the answer.
I personally saw the student I mentored become more patient, more diligent, and more confident
after attending OSN private lessons. So the benefit is not only
winning competitions, but also developing traits that carry into everyday life.
Which OSN Math Tutoring Platforms Can Be Trusted?
Nowadays, there are many tutoring platforms, but from my personal experience, three
are worth recommending:
– **NgajarPrivat.com** → Best for intensive guidance, especially
for students who prefer face-to-face interaction.
– **KoncoSinau.id** → A great option for students who are more comfortable with online learning, supported by flexible
and experienced tutors.
– **LapakGuruPrivat.com** → Offers various OSN subjects, not
only mathematics. Perfect for families with children who
have different academic interests.
All these platforms have proven successful in helping many students reach the
national stage. Interestingly, many of the tutors are OSN alumni or
top university students from places like UI and ITB.
Conclusion: Should Students Take OSN Private Lessons?
If asked whether it’s mandatory, the answer is no.
Many outstanding students succeed through self-study.
But in terms of time efficiency, the right strategies, and higher chances of success, OSN
private tutoring is clearly a wise choice.
With guidance from experienced tutors on platforms like NgajarPrivat.com, KoncoSinau.id,
or LapakGuruPrivat.com, students are not only ready to tackle Olympiad
problems but also equipped with the mental strength to face future academic challenges.
In my view, this investment is absolutely worth it. Because in the end, OSN is not only about winning medals, but also about shaping a
young generation ready to compete at the global level.